Description
I’ve been making this No-Bake Strawberry Delight for family gatherings for over five years, and it never fails to disappear within minutes. This dreamy dessert combines layers of creamy cheesecake filling, fresh strawberries, and crunchy graham cracker goodness—all without turning on your oven once. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people beg for the recipe and assume you spent hours in the kitchen when you really just assembled it in 20 minutes!
Ingredients
🧺 Ingredients
For one 9×13 pan (serves 15+):
For the Creamy Filling:
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
For the Fresh Berry Layer:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
For the Graham Cracker Layers:
- 1 package (9 oz) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For Garnish:
- Additional fresh strawberries (optional)
Pro Tip: Choose strawberries that are bright red, fragrant, and firm to the touch for the best flavor and presentation.
Instructions
🍽️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Create Your Creamy Base In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. No lumps should remain!
Step 2: Fold in the Fluff Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated. Use a rubber spatula and fold carefully to maintain the light, airy texture—don’t overmix!
Step 3: Prepare Your Crunchy Foundation In a separate bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar until the crumbs are evenly coated and resemble wet sand. The mixture should hold together when pressed.
Step 4: Build Your First Layer Press half of the graham cracker mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your hands to create an even, compact crust layer.
Step 5: Add the First Cream Layer Spread half of the cream cheese and whipped topping mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust. Use an offset spatula for the smoothest finish.
Step 6: Berry Beautiful Layer Arrange the sliced strawberries evenly over the cream cheese mixture. For extra visual appeal, create patterns or overlap the slices slightly.
Step 7: Complete the Cream Dream Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the strawberries, smoothing it out with a spatula. Take your time to create an even layer.
Step 8: Top It Off Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker mixture evenly over the top layer, creating a delightful crunchy finish.
Step 9: The Patience Game Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, though overnight yields the best results for perfect slicing and flavor melding.
Step 10: Serve and Bask in the Compliments Before serving, garnish with additional fresh strawberries if desired. Cut into squares with a sharp knife and serve chilled. Watch as everyone asks for seconds!
Nutrition (per serving):
- Calories: ~285
- Carbs: 32g
- Sugar: 24g
- Fat: 16g
- Protein: 4g
✨ Final Thoughts
This No-Bake Strawberry Delight proves that the best desserts don’t always require the most effort—sometimes they just require the right combination of quality ingredients and a little patience. It’s comfort food at its finest, dressed up enough for special occasions but simple enough for a Tuesday night treat.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker looking for a no-fuss option or a kitchen novice wanting to impress, this dessert delivers every single time. The best part? Watching faces light up with that first bite of creamy, fruity, crunchy perfection!
Nutrition
- Calories: 285